The Artisans

An artisan is one who practices a trade or handicraft, creating with skill or dexterity something in limited quantities often using traditional methods.  That definition perfectly describes what these people do.  Every item you find on this site is handmade by someone who take pride in his work.  The term 'artist' is also appropriate for each one.  We look for persons who take pride in the things made so that you will know, if you found it here on LongTimeAgoFarm, it will be a quality item.

Read below to find out about the artisans whose items appear on this site and browse Their Wares.  Of course, we hope you will make a purchase.  You will not be disappointed.

Susan Sherman

Potter

Susan is from Amesville, a small town near Athens, Ohio.  She has been making pottery for over 35 years.  From her workshop she calls the “Bluebird Pottery” she makes pieces that are a feast for the eyes and a pleasure to use.

Her special glazes and patterns are lead-free and food safe.  Since they are also dishwasher- and oven-safe, they go right from the oven to table as beautiful serving dishes.  Firing to a fiercely hot 2,200 degrees makes a beautiful finish, literally turning the glaze into glass, fusing the clay and glaze together to form true stoneware.  The decoration is under the glaze which preserves and protects the natural beauty and intensity of the colors.

Because her pottery is made by hand – formed or thrown on the wheel – no two pieces are exactly the same.  For decorative purposes or for everyday use, you will enjoy her pottery for years to come.

< Pictured at left is Susan throwing a vase.

Susan has a B.S. in education.  She taught art in St. Michael’s High School in Maryland.  She has been a business owner for over 25 years.  When asked about the name of her business, Bluebird Pottery, she explains, “The Bluebird Pottery name came about because we lived next door to an antique dealer.  Gus (her husband) started doing slip trail birds that were similar to the old salt glazed style that was on crocks.  They sometimes called them Pretty Birdies.  We later found out that many of the old potteries were called bluebird potteries because after a hard cold winter, the bluebirds returning were the sign that spring was here and it was warm enough to start up production again.  The bluebirds have been a continuing pattern for over 30 years.”

Please do take a look at her designs.  The variety is staggering; she is always coming up with something new and is open to suggestions.

Weekend-long workshops at her Bluebird Pottery are available starting at $ 300 per person.

A wonderful article about Susan's, written by Damaine Vonada, appeared in the September 2009 issue (Volume 51, No 12) of Country Living magazine.  You can read it online at http://www.buckeyepower.com/cl/index.asp?getPage=1011&issueid=62.

NEW!  Complete hand-painted dinnerware sets by Susan Sherman are available. Although she has been making dinnerware for a long time, until now we haven't put information on the web site.  Please use the Contact Us form to send an inquiry so Susan can call you to discuss your design and give you a quote.

Eddie Miller

Furniture & Cabinet Maker

                    Biographical info to be added soon.

Louise Hawkins

Homemade Soap & Lotion Bars

                    Biographical info and picture to be added.

Lisbeth Smith

Artist & Sawyer

                    Biographical info and picture to be added.

Kimber Caito

Artist & Quilter/Sewer

Kimber is from Somerset in Perry county, Ohio.  A friend remembered that when Kim was about 8-9 years old, she asked her what she was going to do when she grew up.  She replied that she would ride a motorcycle and live in a real log cabin.  "I don't ride a motorcycle anymore because other drivers scare me," she says.  "The log home, yes, I still enjoy that part of my dream.  My husband and I began restoring this house [pictured above] about 14-15 years ago.  It's an ongoing project."  Read more at 1829 Log House.

Kimber took Photography at the Columbus College of Art & Design and is now just beginning to enjoy digital photography.  She has taken many other art courses including Commercial Art, Drawing, Painting, and Pottery.  "I also enjoy Language Arts," she says.  "About three years ago, I took up learning ASL (American Sign Language) and it is fascinating.  What a beautiful and expressive language!  Interpreting for the deaf is so fulfilling; I wish I had started doing this years ago."

She is now the Coordinator of Events for ASLpah! Coffee Chat whish is held once a month, usually at Tim Hortons in Zanesville, it is a time for signers to meet and mingle with new friends and old, network, improve signing skills and vocabulary.
 

What Kim enjoys most about quilting is piecing together the tops - picking the colors, patterns, and materials - to make what is truly a work of art.  She learned to sew, embroider and quilt from her mother.  "Mom helped me make my first quilt when I was about eight years old.  She had me draw pictures of animals on quilt squares and embroider them.  She inspected my work and made me redo any section where the stitches didn't meet end-to-end.  Mom said the back of the embroidery should look almost as good as the front.  Even though it is a getting tattered, that first quilt is on one of the beds in our guest bedrooms."

"I started making aprons because I do not have one shirt that isn't stained from cooking, things splashing or popping, so I thought - duh! - why not use an apron.  They're useful for many things like when painting or crafting, gardening and especially in the barn to hold picks and hoof knives and, of course, donkey treats.  The ones you find in the stores are either too big (who do they make these things for, giants?) or the pockets are shallow or too narrow."  Hopefully, you will find one of her aprons that are just right for your needs.

Updated: 08/18/10